In a conversation at the Swedish Embassy, young Kenyan professionals delved into commercial forestry best practices from Sweden.
The world’s celebrations marking International Forests Day on March 21 became even more meaningful with the theme “Forests and Food,” highlighting opportunities for commercial forestry to enhance food security and sustainability.
The theme highlights the delicate balance between the sustainable utilization of forest resources and the destruction caused by skyrocketing deforestation and land degradation.
Could sustainable commercial forestry be the solution to this crisis?
During a meeting at the Swedish Embassy hosted by Ambassador H.E. Caroline Vicini, young professionals engaged in a discussion about forest protection and the opportunities in commercial forestry.
The discussions emphasized the urgent need for sustainable construction, examining Kenya’s forestry landscape and the opportunities and challenges that define sustainable plantation forestry. They also highlighted how commercial forests can create employment opportunities while restoring degraded land.
According to Ambassador Vicini, planting trees, cutting them down, and burning them isn’t the most profitable approach. She points out that, like Sweden, Kenya can benefit economically from trees by investing in commercial forests while protecting indigenous ones.
Trees are a valuable natural resource used in construction, tools, food production, biodiversity preservation, and medicine. Forests provide essential foods such as fruits, seeds, roots, and wild meat, critical resources for indigenous and rural communities. The vital role of forests underscores the urgency of ramping up restoration, reforestation, and ecosystem preservation efforts.
Sweden is one of the world’s largest exporters of pulp, paper, and saw timber, with up to 80% of these products exported, generating SEK 184 billion in 2023 and SEK 186 billion in 2022. As a result, two out of every three wood-based products manufactured in Sweden are sold within the European Union (EU).
Sweden’s forestry model provides valuable insights into effective land utilization, regardless of location. Seventy percent of Sweden’s landmass is forest land, with 75% actively used and only 1% of forest resources felled annually. This sustainable cycle is maintained by planting approximately 400 million seedlings each year, ensuring that for every tree harvested, 2–3 new ones are planted.
The forest sector in Sweden employs over 140,000 people, an opportunity Kenya could explore, given its vast tracts of idle land.
Sweden’s commercial forestry sector has demonstrated immense benefits, supporting the development of over 40 pulp and paper mills, 80 sawmills, and 105 companies engaged in pulp, paper, and timber production.
“I know about Kenyans’ relationship with their trees, and I believe that every tree has value. Attaching economic value to trees could generate even greater profits through ventures like pulp and timber production, both carbon-free construction materials,” said H.E. Vicini.
Reflecting on the balance between local communities’ reliance on forests and the need for conservation, Mr. Philip Osano, a scientist at the Stockholm Environment Institute, argues that it is time to integrate social and economic aspects into environmental research.
He emphasizes that, for decades, conservation research has been too narrowly focused, often overlooking the needs of communities. Mr. Osano notes that research on conservation in biodiversity-rich tropical regions has shown that it is more cost-effective to protect these areas than to attempt conservation in regions with minimal biodiversity.
“The Rio Convention of 1992 established three key pillars: Environment, Economy, and Society. We must provide incentives, both economic and social, to ensure successful conservation efforts. Recognizing the social dimension of ecosystems is critical,” said Mr. Osano.
According to an FAO report, East Africa has the highest deforestation rates globally, primarily due to land-use changes. Farmers frequently shift between crops based on regional conditions and market preferences. 6.1% or about 3,467,000 ha of Kenya is forested, according to FAO. Of this, 18.9% ( 654,000 ) is classified as primary forest, the most biodiverse and carbon-dense form of forest. Based on the report, Kenya had 197,000 ha of planted forest.
Mr. Osano explains that Kenya has seven agroecological zones, with zones one to three forming the highlands, which depend on rain-fed agriculture. However, rain-fed farming is far less viable in zones four to seven.
How Can Conservation Be Both Beneficial and a Sustainable Livelihood?
The sustainable productivity of Kenya’s forests is under increasing pressure as the demand for wood exceeds the production capacity. Wood is commonly sourced from indigenous forests, dryland forests, Kenya Forest Service plantations, private plantations, and farm forests.
A study by FAO indicates that Kenya’s national wood deficit stands at approximately 27 million cubic meters (m³) and is rising, threatening conservation targets.
Jack Steege, Program Director of Commercial Forestry from Gatsby Africa, explains that to meet the growing global demand for wood, Kenya needs 33 million hectares of additional planted forests by 2030.
He highlights Uganda as a regional leader in planted forests within Eastern and Central Africa. Uganda’s government has facilitated this growth by offering concessions to private companies and individuals willing to invest in commercial forestry.
“African forests, like those in the Ruwenzori Mountains, host some of the world’s richest biodiversity. It is crucial to protect indigenous forests while also promoting productive commercial forestry,” says Jack.
Gatsby Africa is at the forefront of pioneering planted commercial forests in East Africa. This initiative aims to balance wood demand and supply while simultaneously reducing atmospheric carbon through restoration and reforestation.
Sweden’s industrial wealth has been built over decades of sustainable forestry practices. Kenya has a prime opportunity to follow this model, given its regional conditions and the success of similar projects that have led to widespread land restoration.
Jack argues that Kenya’s focus on tree planting shouldn’t be limited to climate change mitigation. Instead, it should be seen as an opportunity to create green jobs and high-value markets for emerging rural industries.
Socially, Jack notes that timber houses are efficient, quick to build, and have a low carbon footprint, making them a win-win for local communities.
As demand for forest products continues to rise, Kenya must develop policies that promote commercial forestry. This will help meet growing market needs while preserving indigenous forests.
